Publikationer från Karlstads Universitet
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The lost Tanner’s Country - Health and pollution in a historical city district : How pollution could affect mortality and causes of death in the city of Karlstad during 1765–1866
No full textSyftet med denna studie är att undersöka huruvida invånarna i den historiska stadsdelen Garvarelandet i Karlstad, under perioden 1765 till 1865, påverkades av miljöföroreningar i större utsträckning än invånare i övriga delar av staden. Studien bygger på en kollektivbiografisk metod och analyserar mortalitet och dödsorsaker hos 40 individer, fördelade i två representativa kohorter. Statistiken exkluderar spädbarns- och barnadödlighet. Studien analyserar och diskuterar resultaten utifrån internationell forskning angående effekterna av luftförorening på mortalitet och sjukdomar relaterade till hjärta, blodkärl och lungor. Studien fann inga betydelsefulla skillnader mellan hälsan av de två kohorten. Invånare i Garvarelandet hade en kohort medellivslängd på 46,35 år, varav 35% avled i någon form av hjärt- kärl- och lungsjukdom. För invånare i övriga Karlstad var dessa siffror 46,85 år varav 40% drabbades dödsfall relaterade till hjärt- kärl- och lungsjukdom. Utifrån resultatet anses det vara sannolikt att luftföroreningar i Garvarelandet inte ledde till en försämrad hälsa för dess invånare jämfört med övriga staden. Då studien använder sig av ett begränsat urval bör dess resultat ses som preliminära.The purpose of this thesis is to study whether the residents of the historical area of Tanner’s Country or ‘Garvarelandet’ in the city Karlstad, between the years 1765 to 1865, were affected by environmental pollution to a larger extent than inhabitants of the remaining city. The study employs a collective-biography method to investigate mortality and causes of death of a selection of 40 individuals, divided in 2 representative cohorts. The statistics exclude infant and child mortality. The study analyses and discusses the results in relation to international research on the effects that air-pollution has on mortality and diseases related to the heart, blood vessels and lungs. The study found no significant differences between the health of the two cohorts. Residents of Garvarelandet had a cohort lifespan of 46,35 years, whereof 35% succumbed to some form of cardiopulmonary disease. For residents of the remaining Karlstad, these numbers were 46,85 years whereof 40% succumbed to cardiopulmonary related disease. From the results it seems likely that air-pollution in Garvarelandet has not contributed to worsened health för its residents compared to the rest of the city. Because the study relies on a limited set of individuals, the results should be seen as preliminary
An Exploratory Cross-Country Study on Italian and Swedish Preschool Teachers' Role in Supporting Children's Mathematising During Play
No full textThis study examines how preschool teachers reflect on their role in challenging children's mathematical thinking in play. The study was conducted with participants in Italy and Sweden, and data were collected through focus group discussions. We use Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and the concept of didactic sensitivity to understand how preschool teachers describe their support of mathematical thinking in children's play and how they interact in play to promote mathematics learning. The findings show that teachers from both focus groups notice, interpret, and improve mathematical content in children's play. They outline their role in supporting mathematisation during play situations, for instance, by describing mathematical concepts and providing the children with resources. However, the findings show differences and tensions in how teachers perceive their role in children's play, with Italian teachers highlighting the importance of children's autonomy and Swedish teachers stressing the importance of being facilitators
Identification of Intra Organizational Tensions : Ambidexterity Tensions in an ongoing Industry 5.0 Transformation
No full textThe manufacturing industry is facing the challenge of combining exploratory strategies, such as Industry 5.0 technologies, with traditional quality management methods to create smart factories that enable data-driven decision-making and support sustainability. At the same time, rising competition puts pressure on companies to drive transformation projects effectively and manage internal tensions to maintain their market positions. In practice, this requires new project models and leadership skills capable of handling organizational structure and culture complexity, and the contradictions between stable quality routines and rapidly evolving innovation demands. Such large-scale changes often meet challenges due to organizational tensions, in this case study, between project and quality departments, which fundamentally represent opposing work strategies, where projects aim to create something new within a limited time frame, while quality focuses on maintaining and improving processes over their lifecycle. Given these challenges and the uniqueness of the case, this master’s thesis identifies specific organizational tensions that arise during ongoing industrial transformation. Rather than evaluating transformation efficiency, the study contributes with concrete examples of how such tensions can hinder transformation, insights from which all Industry 5.0 projects can benefit.Tillverkningsindustrin står inför utmaningen att kombinera utforskande strategier, såsom att kombinera Industri 5.0-teknik, med traditionella kvalitetsledningsmetoder för att skapa smarta fabriker som möjliggör datadrivet beslutsfattande och stöder hållbarhet. Samtidigt sätter den ökande konkurrensen press på företag att driva transformationsprojekt effektivt och hantera interna spänningar för att behålla sina marknadspositioner. I praktiken kräver detta nya projektmodeller och ledarskapsförmågor som kan hantera organisationsstruktur och kulturell komplexitet, samt motsättningarna mellan stabila kvalitetsrutiner och snabbt föränderliga innovationskrav. Sådana storskaliga förändringar möter ofta utmaningar på grund av organisatoriska spänningar. I denna fallstudie, mellan projekt- och kvalitetsavdelningar, vilka i grunden representerar motsatta arbetsstrategier där projekt syftar till att skapa något nytt inom en begränsad tidsram, medan kvalitet fokuserar på att upprätthålla och förbättra processer under deras livscykel. Med tanke på dessa utmaningar och fallstudiens unika karaktär identifierar denna masteruppsats specifika organisatoriska spänningar som uppstår under pågående industriell transformation. Snarare än att utvärdera transformationseffektivitet bidrar studien med konkreta exempel på hur sådana spänningar kan hindra transformation, insikter som alla Industri 5.0-projekt kan dra nytta av
A special talent cannot develop into a skill if it is not recognized and given the support it needs : To understand and be understood
No full textIt is quite new for us in preschool to look up and discover children with special talents. According to the preschool curriculum (Swedish National Agency for Education, 2018), preschool should stimulate the development and learning of all children and we have children in our preschools with special talents that we must adapt our teaching to so that it is meaningful and developmental for the children who are far ahead in their learning. Those who work in preschool are in great need of knowledge that these children exist, they also need knowledge and tools so that they can plan the activities so that these children are also challenged in their learning. The purpose of the study is that a work team, special educator and principal at a preschool receive knowledge and tools so that they develop their competence in giving children with special talents the conditions to learn, develop and feel good in the available learning environment. The research question concerns the possibilities and possible obstacles that may arise when a centrally located special education teacher provides staff at a preschool with guidance on special talents. The focus of the study is that children with special talents should have their needs and conditions met when the work team, principal and special education teacher gain knowledge about how and in what way they should challenge a child with special talents. Teachers who gain knowledge about what special talents mean and how and in what way these children should be taught also learn to detect children with special talents (Mellroth, 2018). The study is designed so that it begins with the principal, special education teacher and a work team at a preschool department answering a few survey questions, based on the answers a lecture and follow-up guidance are planned and at the end they are asked to answer the same questions again. Theories that the study leans towards are Gagné's model from Transforming Gifts into Talents (2004) and Sims' Cluster model (2021). The results show that supervision for staff at a preschool about special talents carried out by a centrally located special educator works and the results of the study demonstrate that there is a progression in the participants' knowledge. For children in our preschools, it is of great importance that the staff has knowledge about both discovering and then giving children with special talents the conditions to learn and devel
Igniting the Shift: Exploring the Potential of RPA as an Enabler for Digital Transformation
No full text In the current digital age, researchers and practitioners are increasingly realizing the inevitable need to explore the potential of adopting new digital technologies. Despite this, firms still struggle to find ways to adapt to the change and utilize adopted technologies to their full potential. Adopting new digital technologies can be seen as a key driver for digital transformation, where Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a relatively simple technology, has the potential to enable this transformation. However, practical and theoretical implications on how to unlock this potential still remains unclear. Therefore, this study explores how RPA can be utilized as an enabler for digital transformation. This was achieved by investigating managers’ and employees’ perceptions of technical and organizational factors in RPA projects through a qualitative single case study at the Inbound Logistics department at Volvo Construction Equipment Arvika. The study aims to contribute to the research field of digital transformation and provide practical implications for firms to increase their digitalization. The study reveals that RPA has the potential to act as a catalyst for digital transformation through the strategic management of technical and organizational factors. Through increasing the understanding of RPA, the understanding of other available technologies can be increased as well, allowing for more future digital initiatives. To achieve this, the study suggests that firms should utilize simple pilot projects with achievable goals, a learning-by-testing approach, and continuous documentation. Moreover, the adoption of RPA is found to mitigate the risk of employee resistance to change by involving motivated individuals in dedicated RPA project teams through cross-functional collaboration, revealing the benefits of the technology by showing results, and increasing motivation through strategically managing job role changes. I dagens digitala era börjar forskare och praktiker mer och mer förstå det oundvikliga behovet av att utforska potentialen av att implementera nya digitala teknologier. Trots detta kämpar företag fortfarande med att hitta sätt att anpassa sig till förändringen och nyttja de implementerade teknikerna till deras fulla potential. Att implementera nya tekniker kan ses som en drivkraft för digital transformation, där Robotic Process Automation (RPA), som är en relativt simpel teknologi, har potentialen att möjliggöra denna transformation. Dock är de praktiska och teoretiska implikationerna för hur denna potential kan frigöras fortfarande oklara. På grund av detta utforskar denna studie hur RPA kan användas som en möjliggörare för digital transformation. Detta gjordes genom att undersöka chefers och anställdas uppfattningar av tekniska och organisatoriska faktorer i RPA projekt, vilket gjordes genom en kvalitativ single case studie på materialstyrningsavdelningen på Volvo Construction Equipment Arvika. Studien syftar till att bidra till forskningsområdet digital transformation och ge praktiska implikationer för företag som önskar att utöka sin nivå av digitalisering. Studien visar att RPA har potentialen att användas som en katalysator för digital transformation genom den strategiska hanteringen av tekniska och organisatoriska faktorer. Genom att utöka förståelsen för RPA, så kan även förståelsen för andra tillgängliga teknologier ökas, vilket kan tillåta fler digitala initiativ i framtiden. För att uppnå detta föreslår studien att företag borde använda enkla pilotprojekt med uppnåbara mål, ett learning-by-testing-angreppssätt och kontinuerlig dokumentation. Vidare visar det sig att implementeringen av RPA kan minska risken för motstånd till förändring från medarbetarnas håll, genom att involvera motiverade individer i en dedikerad RPA-projektgrupp där tvärfunktionellt samarbete används, förtydliga fördelarna med teknologin genom att visa resultat och att öka motivationen genom att hantera förändringar i arbetsroller.
Risk analysis - how, why, why not? : A qualitative study on if and how risk analysis is practiced in major projects
No full textDenna studie syftar till att undersöka hur riskanalys används i praktiken inom större projekt samt vilka faktorer som påverkar dess upplevda värde och genomförande. Tidigare forskning betonar vikten av att riskanalys integreras i projektarbetet, särskilt i komplexa projektmiljöer. Studien genomfördes som en kvalitativ undersökning med semistrukturerade intervjuer med elva respondenter från olika branscher. Resultatet visar att riskanalys upplevs som ett användbart verktyg när den får rätt sättningar. Den kan bidra till bättre beslutsfattande, dokumentation och ökad förståelse i projektgruppen. Samtidigt framkommer flera utmaningar, såsom tidsbrist, bristande ansvarsfördelning och varierande erfarenhetsnivåer. Riskanalysen riskerar att tappa i relevans när den inte är förankrad i projektets struktur eller när erfarenhetsbaserad kunskap inte dokumenteras. Studien lyfter också vikten av delaktighet och tvärfunktionell kommunikation. En levande och anpassad riskanalysprocess där flera perspektiv inkluderas skapar större värde. Framtiden för riskanalys bedöms ligga i ökad digitalisering och möjlig användning av AI, men fortsatt krävs mänsklig förståelse och samarbete.This study aims to investigate how risk analysis is used in practice in major projects and what factors influence its perceived value and implementation. Previous research emphasizes the importance of integrating risk analysis into project work, especially in complex project environments. The study was conducted as a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with eleven respondents from different industries. The results show that risk analysis is perceived as a useful tool when given the right conditions. It can contribute to better decision-making, documentation and increased understanding in the project team. At the same time, several challenges emerge, such as lack of time, lack of division of responsibilities and varying levels of experience. Risk analysis risks losing relevance when it is not anchored in the project structure or when experience-based knowledge is not documented. The study also highlights the importance of participation and cross-functional communication. A living and adapted risk analysis process where multiple perspectives are included creates greater value. The future of risk analysis is considered to lie in increased digitization and the possible use of AI, but human understanding and collaboration are still required
Leading with Lessons: Knowledge Sharing from Projects in Tourism and Destination Management : A Qualitative Study on Knowledge Sharing in Projects
No full textThis study aims to explore how knowledge sharing is applied within projects related to tourism and destination management. The study is based on a qualitative methodology and semi-structured interviews with ten project managers from both public and private organizations operating in various parts of Sweden. The results show that knowledge sharing is considered an important component of project work, particularly in projects funded by external actors such as the EU, where documentation requirements are more explicit. Despite this, knowledge sharing often depends on the initiative of individual project managers, especially in internal projects where formal structures may be lacking. The respondents highlight digital tools, project repositories, and various forms of documentation as central means for sharing and preserving knowledge. At the same time, several challenges are noted, such as lack of time, absence of standardized methods, and difficulties in disseminating relevant information between projects. The study shows that a more strategic and structured approach to knowledge sharing can contribute to improved learning, more effective projects, and enhanced collaboration within the tourism sector. The findings underscore the crucial role of the project manager and the importance of incorporating knowledge sharing already in the project planning phase.
Casus Belli
No full textThis article proposes that wars are fought to bring about and monitor mutual reductions of overinvestment in broadly defined military preparedness. If two potential combatants are overinvested in military preparedness, it is in their individual interest to scale down in order to use their resources in politically more desirable ways. However, unilateral disarmament exposes one to the risk of extortion by the not-yet-disarmed side. Wars can therefore be a politically desirable way of monitoring the other side’s disarmament. This hypothesis predicts fewer civilian deaths from war the more specialized the combatants are, the exceeding rarity of three-way wars, and also offers a number of additional implications
The control of time in teachers' work. How teachers co-construct narratives about their profession in social media groups
No full textThis paper explores how teachers in a Swedish teacher "rebellion" group on Facebook discuss institutional expectations related to the use of time in teachers' work. Drawing on a narrative research tradition, group discussions are analyzed as negotiations where teachers co-construct their own narratives about the teaching profession. In this endeavor, the analytical focus is turned towards how the teachers' discussions relate to notions of professional responsibility and accountability. The results highlight that the teachers emphasize a desire to be trusted, but also that they need to deserve such trust by acting responsibly towards the needs of the whole school. Group discussions on these matters illustrate a tension between teachers' individual autonomy and collective responsibility. While the teachers emphasize teaching-related duties as the core part of their work, their narratives about the professional teacher were constructed in argumentations where the room for discussing social and relational aspects of education was limited
Is the motivational climate created by the P.E teacher´s crucial for studentsenjoyment? : A quantitative study on how the motivational climates created by P.E teachersaffect Students’ perceived enjoyment in physical education.
No full textI samband med att fysisk aktivitet minskar bland ungdomar och en låg närvaro i skolidrottenanser vi att det kan vara relevant att undersöka hur det motivationsklimat som läraren skapar ochdess betydelse för elevernas glädje att delta i skolidrotten. Tidigare forskning talar för att ettuppgiftsorienterat och autonomistödjande motivationsklimat är kopplat till högre upplevelse avglädje. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka det ovanstående på en gymnasieskola iKarlstads kommun, där vi även undersökte eventuella könsskillnader i upplevelsen av glädje isamband med upplevt motivationsklimat. För att undersöka detta gjordes en enkätundersökningsom syftade till att undersöka vilket motivationsklimat idrottsläraren skapar samt hur elevernasjälva skattar sin upplevda glädje. Totalt deltog 49 elever i enkätundersökningen men i slutligaanalysen granskades 48 enkätsvar på grund av ett bortfall. Resultatet från enkätundersökningenvisade att idrottsläraren skapade ett uppgiftsorienterat och autonomistödjande motivationsklimat.Eleverna i helgrupp upplevde mest glädje i ett uppgiftsorienterat och autonomistödjande. Vid enytterligare analys visade resultatet att männen upplevde mest glädje i ett resultatorienterat ochkontrollerande motivationsklimat och kvinnorna upplevde mest glädje i ett uppgiftsorienteratoch autonomistödjande motivationsklimat. Genomgående visade resultatet inga starka sambandmen indikerar att elevernas upplevda glädje är förhöjt i respektive motivationsklimat